Cheesy Stuffed Cauliflower Head (Printable Version)

Whole roasted cauliflower with a creamy, cheesy center, golden and bubbling

# What You'll Need:

→ Cauliflower

01 - 1 large whole cauliflower (about 2.2 pounds), leaves and stem trimmed but intact
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese Filling

05 - 5.3 ounces cream cheese, softened
06 - 3.5 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1.8 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - 1 tablespoon milk

→ Topping

13 - 1.8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
15 - 1 tablespoon melted butter

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Remove outer leaves and carefully trim the base so cauliflower sits flat, ensuring florets remain intact.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Submerge cauliflower head and cook for 8-10 minutes until just tender. Drain well and let cool slightly.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, chives, garlic, smoked paprika, nutmeg, and milk until smooth.
05 - Place cooled cauliflower on prepared tray. Using a small knife, carefully make deep cuts into base and between florets to create space for filling.
06 - Gently stuff cheese mixture into crevices and center of cauliflower, pressing in with spoon or fingers.
07 - Brush outside of cauliflower with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
08 - Mix cheddar cheese with breadcrumbs and melted butter; sprinkle evenly over cauliflower.
09 - Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until cauliflower is golden, bubbling, and tender when pierced with knife.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into wedges and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the kind of dish that makes vegetables feel like an absolute treat rather than an obligation
  • The combination of creamy cheese filling and tender roasted cauliflower is just pure comfort
02 -
  • Do not skip the pre-boiling step or your cauliflower will still be raw when the cheese is burning
  • Let the cauliflower cool enough to handle after boiling, otherwise steam will make the cheese filling slide right off
03 -
  • Pat the boiled cauliflower dry with paper towels before stuffing to prevent a soggy bottom
  • If the topping is browning too fast, loosely tent with foil for the last 10 minutes
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